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Firstly, I’m NOT addressing this to the whole of the United Kingdom – mainly just to people in England & Wales (and perhaps certain people in Northern Ireland). Secondly, I’m not talking about football (which I detest) or cricket (ditto) or either of the rugby codes (one of which I tried playing when I was much younger, and which – although I admit I was never any good – I still admire!).

I’m referring to that pastime which, because it’s mainly linked to England, is making the entire United Kingdom seem either a Global Laughing Stock or The Grumpy Old Man of the World – complaining about the weather for the sake of it!

I know we English – I say that as an adopted Englishman, born in North Wales & with more than 50% Celtic blood flowing through his veins – have always “Played the Game for the Game’s sake” but this is carrying things too far!

We are more willing to complain about the weather than about lack of help for disabled people or lack of jobs for those with complex disabilities. We would rather complain about something that nobody can do anything about than really get to grips with issues that affect our neighbours and the most vulnerable in our society – failings on Disability Hate Crime or changes in the NHS.

Right now, even the American people are deserving of our sympathy following the recent Polar Vortex; children killed in an explosion when heat’s turned off, frozen bodies when the thaw starts, fairly warm areas in winter suffering temperatures they’re not used to – THAT we should complain about.

We should even complain about lack of provision when we can’t cope with extreme weather conditions.

BUT COMPLAINING ABOUT THE CHANGES IN THE WEATHER RATHER THAN COMPLAINING ABOUT WHAT MATTERS MAKES US A LAUGHING STOCK THE WORLD OVER!

Normally, I post about disability but this time I’m posting about another of my great loves – INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS!

At this point, I must “set out my stall” politically – by nature & inclination, I am a conservative; I would have joined the Conservative Party if it hadn’t been for their attitudes towards disabled people and the integration of society.

I would like Britain to stay in the EU – although I do believe we need to at least adjust some of our institutional relationships. On Foreign Affairs, I’ve always been an Interventional Isolationist; an Interventional Isolationist believes in his/her country intervening in other countries affairs but also believes in his/her country not having others involved in how they conduct their domestic or foreign affairs. My family even openly discussed Britain using “Gunboat Diplomacy” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunboat_diplomacy)!

Now to explain my views on what Britain should do IF we make the MISTAKE of leaving the EU:-

We should exercise our UN veto liberally to limit the advancement of the other Security Council members

We should remain in NATO, but like France we should take back control of our nuclear weapons